Beijing slams tribunal decision on South China Sea row

[wlalala]

BEIJING (AFP) - China will disregard any findings by an international tribunal on a case brought by the Philippines over disputed islands in the South China Sea, Beijing said on Friday (Oct 30) after the court decided to consider the action.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration - which is more than a century old and based in The Hague - ruled on Thursday that it did have jurisdiction on the issue.

Manila insists the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which the Philippines and China have both ratified, should be used to resolve the bitter territorial row over isolated reefs and islets, which has triggered growing international alarm.

But China has refused to participate in the proceedings, arguing that the case is about sovereignty and the court cannot rule on it.

"We will not participate and we will not accept the arbitration," Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters in Beijing.

"The ruling or the result of arbitration will not affect China's position," he added.

"It won't affect China's sovereignty rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea, our rights will not be undermined." As veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, the stance will put Beijing in a difficult diplomatic position if the court rules that it has violated one of the UN's own statutes.

Beijing insists it has sovereign rights to nearly all of the South China Sea, a strategic waterway through which about a third of all the world's traded oil passes.

The disputed waters - also claimed in part or whole by Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei - have also become the stage for a tussle for regional dominance between Beijing and Washington, the world's two largest economic and military powers.

This week, the American USS Lassen guided missile destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of at least one of the land formations claimed by China, sparking fury in Beijing.

Following a stand-off between Chinese ships and the weak Philippine navy in 2012, China took control of a rich fishing ground called Scarborough Shoal that is within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

Over the past year China has asserted its stance by rapidly converting tiny reefs into islands for facilities with military uses, including as many as three runways.

The tribunal - set up in 1899 to resolve international disputes between countries - stressed Thursday its ruling did not yet go to the heart of the merits of Manila's case, which was first filed in 2013.

A new hearing will now be held behind closed doors in The Hague, and a final decision is not expected until next year.

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-reiterates-it-will-not-accept-south-china-sea-arbitration-case

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[Soulblade]

So much for all the respect of international laws.

 

[Adenovirus]

It's fine. If China doesn't abide my international law, then be prepared to suffer the consequences. Without the international community, China is nothing.

 

[precipice65]

US also didnt respect international laws when he attacked iraq.

 

[yuri2]

china says you all belong to me, no need arbitration.

 

[Adenovirus]

US also didnt respect international laws when he attacked iraq.

That's true but u must realise that US is the strongest and most influential country in the world. Not just in terms of military, but also its economic clout. No one can rival the US, that's why it can get away Scot free. China? I'm not so sure...

 

[NuttyProfessor]

pap's pride

 

[tankgunner]

Unless us send 2 aircraft carriers there, else, just making noise only.

 

[kopitian]

They want war. We give them war

 

[Shion]

in before ponpokku and nachtsider

 

[marc2002]

Next India will say Indian ocean all their too.... maybe they already are....hahaha

 

[sengwai1]

That's true but u must realise that US is the strongest and most influential country in the world. Not just in terms of military, but also its economic clout. No one can rival the US, that's why it can get away Scot free. China? I'm not so sure...

China is now the US that u mentioned last time.

 

[Like_To_Ask_Question]

well, usually those who resist such stuff already know that they are in the wrong.

 

[rtfm38]

Us, Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, Korea should hold joint naval "exercise" in south China Sea.

 

[sengwai1]

They want war. We give them war

I dun think u get it. we are at the mercy of all these superpowers.

 

[kopitian]

I dun think u get it. we are at the mercy of all these superpowers.

America saved us in ww2.

I know where my allegiances lie.

 

[Moonnite_Firefly]

tiongland is the next USA... at the rate they are going... they are going to replace USA as the most hated country in the world~~

 

[chankoonH]

China is now the US that u mentioned last time.

you talking from your a-hole siboh, please use brain leh

 

[chankoonH]

tiongland is the next USA... at the rate they are going... they are going to replace USA as the most hated country in the world~~

lol... AT land IS already the world's most HATED ****ry liao.. ever since Killer Mao

 

[kopitian]

Wish kmt can take over china